• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Triple murder suspect who died in shootout with California deputies was ex-cop from Virginia

The deceased suspect in California was identified as Austin Lee Edwards, a resident of Virginia.

Austin Lee Edwards

Austin Lee Edwards (Screenshot KTLA)

November 28, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A suspect believed to be responsible for a triple homicide in Riverside, who was subsequently shot and killed during a gun battle with deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Friday, has been identified as a 28-year-old man who used to be employed as a law enforcement officer in Virginia, KTLA reported.

The deceased suspect was identified as Austin Lee Edwards, a resident of North Chesterfield, Virginia. The news outlet said he had been employed by the Virginia State Police as well as the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The Riverside Police Department responded to a welfare check regarding a man and woman involved in a disturbance near a vehicle close to a residence in the 11200 block of Price Court about 11 a.m. Friday. The pair involved in the disturbance were gone when officers arrived at the scene, Law Officer reported on Sunday.

Police officials said a young woman was reportedly in distress while getting into a red Kia Soul with a man at the location and leaving with him.

“Shortly after that, before [officers] arrived, the fire department responded for what appeared to be a fire” at a nearby location, Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback told reporters during a press briefing Friday night.

Crews with the Riverside Fire Department arrived at the scene and entered the burning residence. Upon entering the home, firefighters discovered three adult victims lying on the ground in the entryway.

“When they went inside to extinguish that fire, that’s when they discovered the three bodies,” Railsback confirmed. 

“Their bodies were pulled outside where it was determined they were victims of an apparent homicide,” RPD said in a news release.

Following a preliminary investigation, police learned the young female in distress was a teenager who lived where the residential fire took place and the homicides occurred.

The suspect that she was with was later identified as Austin Lee Edwards, a resident of North Chesterfield, Virginia, according to KTLA.

“Information was related to allied law enforcement agencies regarding the triple homicide and Edwards,” police said. “Several hours later, he was discovered driving with the teen through San Bernardino County…in the unincorporated area of Kelso.”

According to law enforcement officials, Edwards opened fire on San Bernardino County deputies who returned fire, fatally shooting him. No deputies were injured by gunfire and the 28-year-old suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The teenage girl was not harmed during the encounter. She was later placed in protective custody with the Riverside County Department of Public and Social Services.

“Detectives determined Edwards had met the female teenager through the common form of online deception known as ‘catfishing,’ where someone pretends to be a different person than they actually are,” authorities said in the release. “It is believed Edwards had developed an online relationship with the teen and obtained her personal information. He traveled from Virginia to Riverside where he parked his car in a neighbor’s driveway and walked into the teen’s home.”

Upon entering the girl’s residence, police said Edwards murdered her grandfather, grandmother and mother.

“Detectives learned Edwards had worked for the Virginia State Police until recently employed at the Washington County Sheriff’s office in Virginia,” the press statement noted.

The three homicide victims have been identified as Mark Winek, 69, his wife Sharie Winek, 65, and their daughter, 38-year-old Brooke Winek.

Law enforcement authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that anyone with relevant information should contact the Riverside Police Department.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Austin Lee EdwardsCaliforniaRiversideRiverside Police DepartmentSan Bernardino County Sheriff's Departmentvirginia state policeWashington County Sheriff's Office
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

David Brinson

Four-time convicted murderer now accused of strangling wife to death during conjugal prison visit

March 21, 2025
melons

Meth in the melons

August 23, 2024
Ezequiel Romo

Notorious gang leader stabbed to death in prison

July 23, 2024
Jose Carmen Cardona

Man previously deported multiple times charged with triple homicide

July 15, 2024
California man captured

California man captured after parents, dog found decapitated

July 11, 2024
Eduardo Hernandez

Escaped California convict captured in New York after 13 years on the run

July 1, 2024
Load More

Latest Articles

I’m Not Broken, I’m Dangerous

July 4, 2025

The Problem with Promotions

June 20, 2025
Melissa Hortman

Former Minnesota House Speaker Assassinated in Attack on Multiple Lawmakers

June 14, 2025

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com